Matthew Heeney

Professional History

Matthew Heeney, MD, is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric hematology/oncology. He is the Associate Chief for Hematology in the Division of Hematology/Oncology and the Director of the Sickle Cell Program in Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Dr. Heeney’s research interests are focused on sickle cell disease and congenital disorders of iron metabolism. The goals of Dr. Heeney's research include improving the understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of sickle cell anemia through clinical investigation and elucidating the genetic basis of iron homeostasis and its role in human disease.

Dr. Heeney has been the Boston Children's Hospital Site Investigator for several clinical trial consortia including the former Sickle Cell Disease Research Network (SCDCRN) and Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center (CSCC). He is also the Site Investigator for the multicenter SWiTCH and TWiTCH trials, which are exploring the use of Hydroxyurea as an alternative to chronic transfusion for stroke prevention in sickle cell disease. He is also involved in early phase trials of prasugrel and regadenoson in sickle cell disease. Dr. Heeney also conducts translational research in inherited disorders of iron homeostasis in humans. In particular, he is interested in investigating the genetic basis inherited disorders of iron deficiency, sideroblastic anemia, and iron overload.

Dr. Heeney is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and is committed to medical education as the Co-Director of the Hematology course for second year HMS students. He is a frequent lecturer on hematology topics in HMS-sponsored continuing medical education and BCH training programs.

Dr. Heeney received his MD at the University of Calgary, Alberta; completed his pediatrics residency at Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University; and completed a pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship at Duke University.

Publications

• Ticagrelor versus placebo for the reduction of vaso-occlusive crises in pediatric sickle cell disease: the HESTIA3 study. Blood. 2022 Jul 18. ViewTicagrelor versus placebo for the reduction of vaso-occlusive crises in pediatric sickle cell disease: the HESTIA3 study. Abstract

• High-Throughput Assay to Screen Small Molecules for Their Ability to Prevent Sickling of Red Blood Cells. ACS Omega. 2022 Apr 26; 7(16):14009-14016. ViewHigh-Throughput Assay to Screen Small Molecules for Their Ability to Prevent Sickling of Red Blood Cells. Abstract

• Standardizing Opioid Prescribing in a Pediatric Hospital: A Quality Improvement Effort. Hosp Pediatr. 2022 02 01; 12(2):164-173. ViewStandardizing Opioid Prescribing in a Pediatric Hospital: A Quality Improvement Effort. Abstract

• Belzutifan, a Potent HIF2a Inhibitor, in the Pacak-Zhuang Syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2021 11 25; 385(22):2059-2065. ViewBelzutifan, a Potent HIF2a Inhibitor, in the Pacak-Zhuang Syndrome. Abstract

• Prevalence and Predictors of Iron Deficiency in Adolescent and Young Adult Outpatients: Implications for Screening. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2022 01; 61(1):66-75. ViewPrevalence and Predictors of Iron Deficiency in Adolescent and Young Adult Outpatients: Implications for Screening. Abstract